MORE than 100 children met Santa on an annual visit to St Elphin’s Park on Saturday.

Crowds gathered from 6pm at the park in Howley along with the Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Les Morgan, for the event.

Santa arrived in a 2CV which took him from the special sleigh port at a secret location to the park where he spent three hours in his kitchen chatting with the children.

Craft activities included making table decorations using logs and cones from Risley Moss Nature Reserve and recycled Christmas decorations while ceramic artist, Debbie Podmore helped children make Christmas trees, gingerbread men, stars and angels.

Warrington Rotary again supported the Friends of St Elphin’s team throughout the day, creating the Christmas village and staffing the games to keep the children entertained. The evening was rounded off with a traditional fairground organ and the ever popular Ian Zippy Lees.

Jean Flaherty, from the Friends group, said: “Many thanks to all who supported our event, our volunteers, Warrington Borough Council, Warrington Rotary, and of course all our lovely community who came along making all the hard work worthwhile.”

Meanwhile store manager Dave Appleton, from the Padgate Lane Co-op, arranged for selection boxes for all the children visiting Santa.

Jean said: “This support is vital to the continued success of Community events, helping keep costs down and enabling the activities to carry on.

“Big thanks to Dave and all the co-op team for their fabulous contribution.”